NYU prof: Fat PhD candidates need not apply

Evolutionary psychology professor Geoffrey Miller is under fire after his fat-shaming tweet.

Impulse control is something that a 40-something professor should have, right? Evidently Geoffrey Miller, PhD., is still working on perfecting the art of biting his virtual tongue. Over the weekend Miller, who is a visiting evolutionary psychology professor at NYU, sent a Tweet with a message to prospective PhD candidates, “Dear obese PhD applicants: If you don't have the willpower to stop eating carbs, you won't have the willpower to do a dissertation. #truth.”

Thinking this is one thing. Heck, even saying it to a close friend might not be so bad, but sending this out via Twitter to several thousand followers shows a serious lack of judgment. Okay, I get it, fat people disgust you; at least that’s the impression I have after reading the tweet, but making a judgment about a person’s ability to complete academic coursework based on physical appearance is absurd.

Of course, Miller quickly deleted the tweet and apologized for his actions.

My sincere apologies to all for that idiotic, impulsive, and badly judged tweet. It does not reflect my true views, values, or standards.

In my opinion, Miller doesn’t sound very sincere. This sounds like an apology from someone who realizes he may have put his career in jeopardy. What do you think – honest mistake or serious lack of judgment?